Ronaldo may be rested for Celtic clash
Ronaldo has scored three goals in his seven appearances for Manchester United since returning following ankle surgery
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Monday, 20, Oct 2008 09:28
Sir Alex Ferguson may rest Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United's Champions League tie against Celtic on Tuesday.
The United boss revealed that the winger may not yet be ready to start two games in a short space of time as he makes his way to full fitness after ankle surgery.
“Against Celtic, with it being Saturday to Tuesday, we’re just looking at the situation and whether we should bring in Nani for this one, he said.
Ferguson also revealed that he is delighted with the progress the Portuguese international is making as he aims to recapture the form of last season.
"He’s coming along terrifically well," said the United manager.
"It’s almost there. With 20 minutes to go on Saturday when Gary Neville went on, I said to Gary, ‘ask Ronaldo how he is’. I thought he was showing signs of tiring.
"Gary asked him and Ronaldo said, ‘I think it’s time to come off’. Five minutes later he told Gary, ‘I’m feeling good now’. Maybe the fact that Gary told him he might be coming off lifted him a bit. You find that with the type of human being, the type of athlete he is. He will find something. When he needs it he finds it.
"One touch and he could score. He has got such a talent in the box. I think he’ll win the Ballon d’Or. If he doesn’t win it, I want to sign the guy who does.
Ferguson also spoke with his former assistant, current Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz, to discuss Ronaldo's fitness after the winger played in both of his country's recent world cup qualifiers.
“I spoke to Carlos [Queiroz] and asked him what he thought [about Ronaldo’s match fitness].
"He said he thought Cristiano was still finding it hard to recover from a Saturday game to play on a Wednesday.
"Carlos thought he was magnificent against Sweden on the Saturday, showing maturity, decision-making, everything… but on the Wednesday he was a little flat.
"That’s simply because he is still working on his recovery from games."